The Cubs Are Unaffected by Trade Rumors and Other Bullets

Jul 14, 2012

I’m headed out to the game today with friends from Sons of Ivy, and, unrelatedly, I got to meet BN’er TWC last evening. It’s already been a great Chicago trip.

The Cubs are 10-4 in their last 14 games. How about that?

Dale Sveum says the trade rumors this time of year aren’t going to affect his players. “I don’t think it ever impacts wins or losses,” Sveum said. “I think once these guys cross the line in batting practice, none of that stuff comes into play. Off the field, it’s something that’s there and it’s been there a long time. You have to deal with it.” I think it would be hard not to think about it day to day, but I suppose in the heat of the game action, you could probably let it drift from your mind. It certainly isn’t affecting Alfonso Soriano…

Yesterday’s draft pick signing deadline came and went without any excitement for the Cubs, who’d already locked up their first 20 picks, and 28 of 42, overall. The Pirates couldn’t get a deal done with Stanford right-hander Mark Appel, whom you’ll recall slid from his expected top spot all the way down to 8th (past the Cubs). He rejected the Pirates’ final offer of $3.8 million, and will try to do better next year after pitching his senior season at Stanford.

Bruce Levine says the Cubs should hang onto Alfonso Soriano, not only because he’s killing it this year, but also because he’s a good influence on younger players.

Dale Sveum talks about Jeff Samardzija’s progress as a starter, and about the Cubs’ need to limit his innings as best they reasonably can.

Ian Stewart’s recovery from wrist surgery, which included removing a small bone fragment that may have been the source of his problems, is expected to take six to eight weeks. The would make Stewart ready for baseball activities in early September, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’d be ready for game action.

The Cubs will host a Ron Santo Day on July 27 to commemorate Ronnie’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

Everyone knows about Ryan Dempster’s streak, but Shawn Camp has a 12.2 scoreless inning streak going.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: (Almost) All the Righties!

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) will look to Daulton Varsho, who is coming off a two-homer game, to lead them in a matchup with the San Diego Padres (11-10) Friday at 9:40 PM ET on SDPA. The Blue Jays are...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (9-11), led by Jung Hoo Lee on a 10-game hitting streak, will meet the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) Friday at Oracle Park. The Giants are -129 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 10:15 PM ET on...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New York Mets (10-8) roll into Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) looking to extend a four-game winning streak. The contest starts at 10:10 PM ET on MLB Network with the Dodgers listed as -205 favorites on...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans play the Sacramento Kings at 9:30 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires just one make from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Brandon Ingram Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brandon Ingram must make two from beyond the arc on Friday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET.Brandon Ingram's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

On Friday at 9:30 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and CJ McCollum's 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires four treys.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the KingsCJ McCollum's over/under for...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Domantas Sabonis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Friday, April 19, 2024

At 9:30 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, it'll be the Sacramento Kings against the New Orleans Pelicans -- with Domantas Sabonis needing to score just once from beyond the arc to beat his 3-pointer prop.Domantas Sabonis'...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Friday, April 19, 2024

De'Aaron Fox must make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Sacramento Kings play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at 9:30 PM ET, in the NBA Play-In Tournament.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs